The name will take many Kiwi readers back to 2021, and the NZ Popstars TV series that saw Christabel Williams announced as grand prize winner. Now recording as Christabel she released her debut album ‘INTUITION’ in October this year, including the single Done For, which was included on NZ On Air Music’s October NewTracks compilation.

Where were you born, and where are you living now?

I was born in National Women’s Hospital in Greenlane! I lived most of my life in Howick, Auckland and spent a few years in Mangawhai, before moving back to my family home. I also have lived in the UK for a small time, but now I live in Los Angeles, California.

Any previous artist projects that we might we know you from?

My very experimental EP that I released when I was about 20 called ‘Vanilla’, perhaps. It featured a song called Mullet, which is a pisstake, but had a small TikTok moment! You might also know me from Popstars New Zealand TV series in 2021.

What were the first steps to Christabel becoming a recording artist?

It’s something I’ve always wanted, even as a kid. I had written a lot over my life, it seemed to come naturally to me.
When I was about 13, a friend’s mum was doing a uni assignment for her social work course. She knew I was wanting to pursue music so she asked me and some other church friends to make a song and then a music video about her topic. Another family friend from church had a small studio set up as he worked in music and recorded the song for me. That was my first proper taste of recording music.
I left school at about 16 to pursue it, but didn’t know where to start, and I didn’t know anyone in the industry either… I did some home recording here and there with friends, and tried to record some music in a studio but at the time had no idea that I’d hired a recording engineer, and not a producer. It was a cool experience but I never got those recordings back!
Unfortunately some things happened that year that led me down a weird path, and that’s when I moved to Mangawhai and started a band with two mates I’d met and got involved with some other musicians. However, it wasn’t until after the pandemic that things started rolling, when one of my best friends Seb Judd, aka Chequered Patterns, had started producing. We worked together for years, and still sometimes do! We’d made a pact together in high school that we’d stick together. I wouldn’t be the artist I am today without that guy. Mad respect.
My real foot in the door, though, was winning the 2021 Popstars. I got connected with some incredible people, producers and artists throughout my time there. I met Christian Tjandrawinata, who’s become one of my greatest collaborators. He and I worked together on ‘INTUITION’, and he’s extremely talented at translating everything sonically. Truly grateful for him.

How has your writing evolved from your earliest songwriting?

Considering I wrote my first song when I was five, it’s come leaps and bounds since then! I think it’s become a lot more elaborate. Over time I’ve become very fascinated with words, their meanings, wordplay, and how you can string together stories with layers that could mean a lot of different things to lots of different people.
As a kid I mimicked a lot of what I heard on the radio, lots of love songs and classic ‘ooh baby’ lyrics, but as you grow into a real human with more awareness, and grow through heartbreak and friendships and losses and painful situations and teenage angst, the lyrics gained some substance, and the more I write the more I can understand how the sonic form should be laid out. I don’t think my songwriting will ever stop evolving, as long as I’m alive and experiencing things, talking to people, witnessing the world, it will always be maturing. 

Do you prefer writing in collaboration with a producer?

I love collaborating with producers, but I also am lyrics-based mainly, so I usually write melody-less poems in song structures before I bring it into the studio. I can write the other way around, but I prefer to be alone with my thoughts, sometimes. 

What’s been the big career highlight to date?

I think that winning Popstars was definitely my biggest highlight – but It won’t be my biggest ever! I’m a girl who loves a challenge, including challenging myself, especially when it comes to my career. I am open to however it decides to unfold. 
A lot of people are really rushing to make it early, and I too feel the pressure to find ‘mega-success’ before it’s ‘too late’ sometimes, But I also make sure to remind myself every day that the more life I experience before I hit those big goals, the more real life inspiration I have to pull from, and the more I mature and gain compassion for others.
Yes – the show changed my life, it is absolutely up there, but I reckon releasing this album has been the biggest so far. I did it all by myself with Christian! We did that! No management, no label, just big dreams and a drive and it became something pretty incredible, and I’m so grateful for that.

What made Done For stand out for you as a single?

I think it was a pretty obvious choice. It was one of the most pop-sounding songs on the record. Since we were doing this with a minimal team, we decided to push the more radio-worthy tracks to help with the momentum organically. This might not sound ultra-exciting, but it’s the truth! Music is a business!

What is the story behind Done For?

Done For was written just after the show. It’s one of those songs that has been recorded numerous times over numerous years, but every time I finished it it just didn’t feel right. After giving it a little break we circled back to it when it came time to record the album. I think the auto-tune really makes it, I love that experimental element to it. It’s about a relationship I couldn’t get out of, comparing it to a drug addiction – if you quit there’s awful withdrawals and if you stay in it, you’re still killing yourself. 

What’s your favourite moment of the single

Absolutely the bridge. I think it contains a lot of rage, which I’m always partial to in songs. Poetic rage, to be more specific. ‘Now I’m sick like a dog for you, son of a b**ch’, and ‘You were dangerous but I took that risk, like an optimist in an apocalypse’, are my favourite lyrics in this song.

Who did you record/produce the single with and where?

Hmmmm, which time! Hahaha! It began with Cheq in 2021, we recorded the song about three different ways over the course of three years. It had absolutely nothing to do with his producing, he’s an ace producer, I just couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. It was just one of those songs that needed time to wallow, I think. It was reborn with a more electronic feel last year with Christian Tjandrawinata. 

What would you like listeners to take away from it?

I like to make sure my songs are universally understood, in terms of experience. I’d like them to take away a sense of relatability with it in their own terms – whether that’s about a situation, a friendship, a job, a relationship with someone or themselves. As long as they relate, I think that’s my job done. After all that is part of being an artist – a translator! 

Where does it fit in the mood palette of your new album ‘INTUITION’

If Done For was a person, she’d be a detached, angry woman who is sick of an abusive cycle. That’s the best way I can describe it!

Where did you hold the album release party? How did it go?

I held a listening party in a bar called The Association in Downtown LA, nearby where I live. I would have loved to come back to NZ for a launch show but unfortunately I’m only just scraping by in California, so maybe when I’m back for Christmas I’ll do a little thingy! It went awesome. I brought all of my people and community together in one room, we had drinks that were named according to the lyrics in the album, a photo wall, good vibes all around! I’m proud! 

Do you have any other album promo plans? Is US radio play a thing for you?

As for US radioplay, I’m working on it. My friend heard Where Was Your Love playing while in line for the Dua Lipa concert in LA, which was totally not expected and must’ve wiggled its way into a playlist somewhere! I’m still promoting it online with everything I can do, but unfortunately being independent means funding everything yourself, and a tour is just not in my budget at the moment. Perhaps next year, but things change quickly, so who knows! I plan on doing a show or two hopefully when I’m back to celebrate, though! 

Has releasing ‘INTUITION’ scratched the album itch?

I’m already conceptualising the next project… hahahahahahahah! But also planning on talking about a few things and telling my story before I get really stuck into that. ‘INTUITION’ was written about some pretty heavy things and I feel I’ve been convicted to go public with it. I’m taking my time with stretching this debut out for sure, and I feel the moment will be a long one. A slow-burner. So, although I’m excited to be thinking about the next thing, ‘INTUITION’ and its various pieces to the puzzle will likely still be promoted and talked about throughout that process. She deserves some extra attention! 

Who else is in your team?

Just me, my producer Christian Tjandrawinata, Cheq, even though we don’t do a lot together because of the distance, he’ll always be a part of my team. Distro, DRM have been lovely, but no label, no management. Although, I am looking to expand my team, so if anyone out there sees the potential… HMU! Let’s make something huge…

Are you part of any Kiwi musician cluster in LA?

I wouldn’t say as closely as everyone’s scattered everywhere but I do vibe with all the Kiwis over here and make sure I prioritise them when they’re available! I have massive respect for anyone who’s made the jump here, it’s a hell of a ride.

Can you name three other Kiwi tunes that would fit well on a playlist alongside your song. 

Bexy: End Of The World Again
Rita Mae: Killjoy
Lorde: David

Have any of your previous single releases been included on NewTracks?

Yes! Contrarian! and Bruise.

And have you received NZOA funding previously?

Yes I have! I received funding for Jealous, Someone Else, Contrarian! and Bruise. All of these I was able to create music videos for!

Got any advice around seeking funding for others starting out? 

Sometimes it can be hard applying for funding, especially when you’re beginning. If you get declined, just keep releasing when you can until you build up a repertoire, and keep applying each round.Last year I applied every round and got no funding, which is fair enough, there’s so much talent in NZ and we’ve got to share it around, but I didn’t let it kill my vibe!
Just stay positive, do as much as you can to release independently and keep working on your artist projects and things will start looking up! There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Are there any Youtube channels or podcasts you’re into?

Un-music related, I’m a sucker for Reddit stories, they are wild! Two Hot Takes and Smosh for sure. I also really value different experiences and perspectives as a songwriter so maybe that’s why! So much life inspo to pull from people’s real experiences. Music-wise I love listening to Zane Lowe and The Life of a CEO.

Where can we find you on social media?

Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
TikTok

How many of the album tracks have a music video? Got a favourite among them?

Two of them! Contrarian! and Bruise. I don’t know if I could pick a favourite as they’re both so special to me and were such incredible experiences creating these visuals. I’ve been so blessed with my team.
I think Bruise was super cathartic to make as it was completely self-directed and I sat in with my editor Jack and it was done with the first edit.
Contrarian! was also self-directed conceptually, but I had a lot of help with on set direction and curating the narrative with Logan Marshall, Kiwi director who has just moved here to LA this year. My pal Dara Feller was also a very valuable member of the team with a lot of input and co-direction and my partner Luca, who shot both of these with our team, so I don’t know if I could genuinely pick one! They are both stories based on, or inspired by, real life experiences.

Any last words?

Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me, I’m so honoured to be featured in NZ Musician! I’m excited to come back to NZ for a brief summer and maybe I’ll have to play a show or two… my album is also out now on vinyl! You can buy the marble variant from Holiday Records’ online store, or the solid blue variant in record stores. More coming soon…